About me
Are you feeling lost, anxious or sad, depressed, or have a sense that something isn't right and you aren't sure why? Talking about it with me may help.
Are you feeling misunderstood or worn down from trying to fit in, feeling too much or not enough and maybe struggling in your personal or working relationships?
Or are you experiencing disappointment, loss of any kind or bereavement, which leaves you feeling numb, angry, guilty or exhausted?
Whatever has happened or is happening, I will listen to you so you can explore your feelings and, alongside you, better understand yourself and remove obstacles that are getting in your way.
I am a psychotherapeutic counsellor who has walked through the triumphs and heartaches of life. My personal journey includes caring for a child with life-limiting conditions, IVF, pregnancy loss and being diagnosed with ADHD in 2023. I am a Mum to two Neurodivergent children and have 24 years of experience supporting others who are diagnosed or curious about Autism, ADHD (or both), as a tutor, school teacher, foster carer and, for the past 4 years, a counsellor, inspired by my own counselling journey.
All of the above means I am passionate about striving for neurodivergent-affirming, anti-ableist and anti-oppressive practice.
Whatever motivates you to seek a counsellor right now, I will meet you with compassion and non-judgement. There is no right or wrong way to show up in therapy. I will go at your pace and direction, integrating a range of counselling approaches, based on what I believe will be best for you, involving you in this process as we go along.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Master's Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy (MA), and my first degree was a teaching degree (BA QTS).
Before training as a counsellor, I volunteered for Mindline as a call handler and completed a Level 3 Counselling Skills diploma. I have also been a Foster Carer, during which time I completed an NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care.
I have a specialist understanding of OCD and anxiety through the lived experience of the underrepresented condition of trichotillomania (hair-pulling) as well as other body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), namely chronic skin picking, inner cheek and nail biting.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Weekly sessions- £60.00
Fortnightly sessions- £75.00
Concessionary rates -for students and those on low incomes-£50.00 (I reserve 2 slots for concessions, so there may be a waiting list)
Cancellation Policy: Reimbursed if you cancel with 48 hours' notice. Sadly, I will need to charge for the session if the session is cancelled within 48 hours.
Further information
Please do get in touch if you are considering working with me via email or text, or we can arrange a phone call.
You can ask questions and explore what you want and need from counselling. I will be as honest and open with you as I can.
If you decide to book a first session with me, I will email you a copy of our working contract and ask for some basic information relating to safeguarding clients. Data will be stored securely and in accordance with the Data Protection Act. I am a registered member of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
ACCESS:
Arches Therapy Rooms (198 Cheltenham Road):Ground-floor room, wheelchair accessible. There is street parking nearby.
Home Therapy Room (Weston-super-Mare): Ground-floor room with toilet facilities, both of which are wheelchair accessible.
Private side door entry and parking space at the front of the property.
